Suggestions for the Index (of piano forum)

[m1469]

As some of you know, and as some of you may not have known, I am working on the project of indexing the forum.  You can view what is up so far here :

Index of the piano forum
https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,9330.msg94469.html#msg94469

Submit a link
https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,9238.msg93690.html#msg93690

May I please get some feedback on what is done so far; layout, colors, categories etc.? Also, I would like some help with organizing categories and the topics within them.  You can see the categories I have listed within the table of contents and I would like some help with expanding a few of them.  Here is what I am wondering :

Miscellaneous :  what topics do you feel should belong under this category?  so far I am thinking of ...

*Accompanying (but perhaps this should be its own category altogether?)

*Books recommendations and Book reviews (probably this should have its own category?)

*Jazz piano

*Philosophies on music

Well... I don't know, I am just stuck here.  More questions later.

This is feels critical to me right now because I am trying to go in alphabetical order and I create at least one individual post in the index for each category and sometimes for topics within the category.  If I have to go back and insert something (which I have done a few times already) I end up having to spend quite a bit of extra time reorganizing between copying and pasting and providing links to a specific spot.  So, I am trying to plan ahead as well as possible.

Suggestions are very appreciated. 



m1469

[TheHammer]

Okay, I really have thought some time on these issues, but could not come up with some brilliant amendments... This means either I am stupid/lazy OR you have done the most perfect job on indexing the forum so far . I prefer the second. But seriously, m1469, I think you deserve some kind of reward or a statue or something. I admire your altruistic attitude and willingness to spend so much time on improving this board... Many, many, many thanks for the index. 
Even in the current state it is the most helpful page on piano that exists.   

Don't give up! You did a great job so far, and I am sure all forum members share my feeling.
I think though, one problem is that many are just overwhelmed by the amount of links you and Bob digged out of the forum's depths. I myself am very reluctant to post any link, because I am nearly sure it already is in the index or the "submit a link" thread. I mean all these massive link list... wow.

However, up to now I like the index very much (that is the organisation, colour does not matter so much, to me), one problem is that a new window will open when one clicks on a link at the top of the index. I have no clue how to fix that, but I think it would be a good idea to do so.
The categories seem well structured to me.

Books, Jazz and Accompanying should certainly get an extra category.

Again: thank you, thank you, thank you. 

[Bob]

Any way the threads can be grouped together.  Being able to stumbled onto related ideas is the advantage.  So any number of topics is great.  The same thread can be listed in several places.  It's like having someone perform an intelligent search for you.

For example, you could have a cluster of threads around the idea of Books.  Some of those same threads might also appear under the idea of Bernhard.

[m1469]

Hammer, thanks    your encouragement is much appreciated and I got inspired and then unstuck.  I am taking your suggestions and perhaps there will be a way to fix the windows situation.

Bob, thanks again for your input.  I am finally working out the categories thing, perhaps I am getting close even!  I know I am getting close when I can handle sorting through links and have a place to put the thread. YAY  and yes, I will be cross-referencing.


Thanks very much to you both

m1469

[abell88]

one problem is that a new window will open when one clicks on a link at the top of the index. I have no clue how to fix that, but I think it would be a good idea to do so.

If you use Netscape as your browser (rather than Explorer), you can just middle click on the link and it will open in a tab...you can do a whole bunch in a row. It's how I read everything I'm interested in on the forum; go to Student's Corner, for example, and middle click on everything that looks interesting. By the time I've finished clicking, the first ones have finished loading. I understand Explorer is going to be bringing in this amazing "new" capability sometime down the road...

[TheHammer]

If you use Netscape as your browser (rather than Explorer), you can just middle click on the link and it will open in a tab...you can do a whole bunch in a row. It's how I read everything I'm interested in on the forum; go to Student's Corner, for example, and middle click on everything that looks interesting. By the time I've finished clicking, the first ones have finished loading. I understand Explorer is going to be bringing in this amazing "new" capability sometime down the road...

Well, I use tabs too (browser is Firefox) for links that interest me, just in the way you decribed. Thanks anyway, but, in my original post I was referring to the organisation, to the menu of the index (sorry if this wasn't clear). That is, when you are at the top of it, and would like to go to, well "Brahms", I would like to click on it and be there, at the "Brahms"-list, just in the same window. Whether you use tabs or just more windows doesn't matter, it is getting quite confusing by some time. I mean: you go to the Index (1 window/tab). Click on Brahms (2), click on an interesting link (3). While the thread is loading, you just decide to look at Improvisation. So you use the "Return to the top"-link. (4) Then you click on "Improvisation" (5) and the link that interests you. By then, you have 6 windows/tabs open, whereas you would need 2 or three perhaps. Now, just imagine you want to go to some technique things, Beethoven and so on and so forth...plus other websites you are viewing at the moment (so, most often I have like a dozens things open...sites, chat, music, scores...). Of course, you can just shut them when you move forward, but well... man, I am lazy!

Anyway... this problem would need some editing by nils, I assume.

[m1469]

Anyway... this problem would need some editing by nils, I assume.

Yes, this is true, Nils would need to address this as far as I can tell.  I don't know how to do it given the software that the forum is set up with (I may be missing something, but I don't think so).  Anyway, it may indeed be something that will be solved in the future and is currently being looked into.

m1469